NDSS Gala Auction: Gratitude

Each year the NDSS (National Down Syndrome Society) Hosts a Gala evening in New York with an associated auction to raise money for this organization and essentially people with Down Syndrome and their families.

The wonderful people from NDSS reached out to me following a post they read about beginning my journey with my son Blake. During a time of emotional confusion and hormone overload post partum they were so kind and welcoming me to the fabulous Down Syndrome Advocacy community. I have been helping to give back each moment since.

I wanted to publicly express my gratitude to the people who took the time and resources to contribute at my request to this year's gala auction.

Sarah Jessica Parker and the SJP Collection. The gorgeous, high-end shoe brand (Sold exclusively at Nordstrom & Neiman Marcus in the US) had graciously donated TWO autographed pairs of shoes complete with autographed dust bags. Thank you Sarah Jessica for stepping up for this cause so near and dear to my heart. 

MARLENE 

(as seen on SJP above)

in a US size 10) - EURO 40, blue foil.

"Marlene, ah! The perfect foil. So to speak. Powerful, feminine and sexy. The colors are a wonderful new neutral and the metallic gives the flash I have been wanting to add to the collection. Marlene Dietrich, known for toying with gender, was the inspiration behind the name for this shoe. The spectator is typically thought to be a man's shoe. I can see this pump even paired with a women's tuxedo!" —Sarah Jessica 

BID NOW: LOT 601 

DAPHNE

Coral Grosgrain

US Size 7 - EURO 37

SJP Wearing Daphne in Purple - Harpers Bazaar Arabia 2014

"I'm in love with this shoe! What more can I say? She's gorgeous. I'll sleep in them. And evening! At last!" —Sarah Jessica Parker

BID NOW: LOT 602 

Ruthie Davis - The luxury shoe and bag designer has donated a gorgeous clutch bag for the event. Ruthie has been a generous donor to the NDSS for the past 3 years. She does so with love in honor of her Nephew Michael. Retail: $1,025.00

BID NOW: Lot 604 

Johanna Ely: Good Girls Studio kindheartedly donated this vintage re-vamped necklace (retail $220). This is her second year donating one of her hand made creations to the NDSS auction.

BID NOW: Lot 606

Eileen Davidson: Emmy Award Winning Daytime Actress (Days of our Lives & Young & The Restless) as well as newest cast member of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills has graciously donated a pair of earrings worn on Days of our Lives as her popular character Kristen DiMera, along with an Autographed image.

BID NOW: Lot 306

Tori Spelling: This is also the third year Tori has lovingly donated items for the NDSS auction. She has been instrumental also in sharing my story over the years through her blog EdiTORIal (read the latest HERE) and supporting the Down Syndrome Community and all children with special needs (Did you see her ad campaign featuring Blake and kids of all abilities? See it HERE). This is your chance to get an autographed copy of her entertaining book CelebraTORI. She is known for being a creative, crafty hostess and its a gorgeous edition to any soiree sister's library!

BID NOW: Lot 309

Natasha Mrkovich - Portraits of Legends Has kindly donated a print of her famous 1950's Elvis Presley drawing. She is one of a handful of  artists who are licenced to reproduce Elvis Presley's image and this drawing is an official Elvis Product. She is a talented artist and friend who produces gorgeous images of the legends of the entertainment industry. There is no bigger legend than ELVIS. She supports this charity as an artist and a member of the uniquely abled community.

BID NOW: Lot 804 

Lori Graystone - Lori is a Pole Fitness instructor: Owner/Operator of RockNPole as well as an Artist. Lori is also  my sister who lovingly donated this gorgeous painting and tribute "Viva Frida" of my favourite artist Frida Kahlo. The painting is 28" x 22" Acrylic on Canvas. Frida was also part of the disability community who because of polio was left with a physical disability in childhood and at the hands of an accident in her teens suffered from chronic pain, being wheelchair bound and eventually leg amputation. Lori has captured the essence and spirit of Frida beautifully. She donated this piece on behalf of her Nephew Blake!

BID NOW: Lot 803

Marty Parker - Marty Parker Art  has kindly donated two Giclée Prints of the legendary musician John Lennon. Marty is a sweet friend who has been very supportive on my journey with Blake. He is a sibling of a person with unique abilities and loves to give back to this community. He is an amazing pin-up artist too!

BID NOW: Lot 805

 “John I” 

Signed print

Pencil on paper

2006

“John II”

Signed print

Pencil on bristol board

2006

Last, I never ask people do do anything that I would not do myself so my business, Evolution Vintage  donated a one-of-a-kind Vintage cuff  (Evolution Rewind) and a Vintage burnout t-shirt to the auction.

BID NOW: Lot 607 

From the bottom of my heart THANK YOU to all who have donated and all who will bid! There are many more exciting auction items and it is open for bidding until 9:30Pm EST JANUARY 29th.

Blake and I are so grateful for your kindness ....

"Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love." - 

Lao Tzu

LisaG's GIFT GUIDE

Can you believe it? 38 days until Christmas. I am 99% done my shopping because for me on top of my baking, home decorating, tree-trimming, wrapping, pre-school participation, and socializing yuletide duties I have little time to shop as the actual holiday approaches. I attempt completion by Dec 1st (at least that's the goal). This year I also get to go home to Canada and enjoy my entire family in the snow too; 2 kids on a plane from LAX to Toronto with all my Christmas gear in tow .. Good Times. Yup, I'm going to be "that person" on the plane this time.
So for the stressed and time crunched, or just for those who have no idea what to give this year I wanted to offer a few suggestions that may help you check the shopping portion of the Christmas program off your list.

LOVE is obviously the BEST gift as is TIME spent with love ones but let's be realistic. We ALL have people on our list to BUY for.

1) EVOLUTION VINTAGE GIFT CARD - Give the gift of FASHION! The card are electronic (emailed - you can print & give!) in $50, $100, $150, $200 denominations. You can use this toward shipping too. If you know someone who has unique taste and loves high quality Vintage this makes a great gift!
2) PICNIC BACK PACK - A gift that makes you want to explore the great outdoors, with some comforts of home dining. Cruise the site too: Red Envelope has a lot of unique gifts (some you can customize!)

3) Book: 100 Unforgettable Dresses – by Hal Rubenstein Fashion. Eye Candy with Great information about each dress.

4) Vestige Jewelry Recycled Vintage metals and jewels. All the pieces are unique!

Read her Evolution Revolution Vintage Feature HERE


5) Visit InvenTORI: A variety of unique gifts! Gifts for your home, baby, pet, library and MORE! The treasures in Tori's Finds are from her own personal collection of one-of-a-kind items!! Stop by the store if you are in the LA area or shop on-line. An amazing assortment of gifts and great prices. There is really something for EVERYONE! EXCLUSIVE to Evolution Revolution readers - SAVE 10% on ALL ON-LINE purchases using the code: HOLIDAY

6)Decades of Style – 60’s & 70’s How to Hair & Make-up. Great information about the decades and the looks along with quotations. EXCLUSIVE for my readers: message the author though her website and SAVE 50% before Thanksgiving and 40% until Christmas!!

7) Dreaming of Chanel & Dreaming of Dior: Vintage Dresses, Timeless Stories Travel though one woman’s inherited Vintage Collection of over 3,000 pieces from her godmother in these 2 books! Great illustrations too.

8)Dragon Voice Software Great for writers, bloggers, or people who can speak/think faster than they can type. Also good for people who have sustained injuries and have a hard time typing or navigating with their mouse. Let the Dragon do the work! Special Christmas sale for home computers on now!

9) Central Coast Sea Scape Calendar Enjoy the beauty of California’s Beautiful Central Coast, with amazing images and quotations. The bonus is 10% of the proceeds are being donated to Breast Cancer. Mention Evolution Revolution and get FREE SHIPPING!! 10) Custom Portrait – Marty Parker ART! Be forever immortalized in pencil by the hand of a great artist. It is a unique and custom gift for friends or family. You can also purchase an existing print from Marty’s collection to be framed for your gift! Mention Evolution Revolution and SAVE $20 on a fine art print of your choice and if you live in the US SHIPPING IS FREE on all items!

11) Raw Essentials Skin care line. If you care what goes into your body give the RAW line a try (the price is right too)! Model Carol Alt has created a line of skin care products that use Raw ingredients that are better for your skin because they are never heated above 115° and retain all the vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants providing maximum nourishment to the skin SHOP: www.rawessentials.com (FREE Shipping over $75) also available at Shoppers Drug Mart in Canada

12) Kam Bey Jewelry - Scott Kam & Andrea Bey collaboration combining Kam's Vintage Native American Jewelry along with Bey's Contemporary Jewelry Designs. There are some unique pieces in their collection. EXCLUSIVE to Evolution Revolution readers: Buy a Kam Bey Piece and get another piece for 50% off (of equal or lesser value)

13) Pennies From Heaven: A Medium's Two Cents on Life and Death by Christopher Stillar. Not only did I have the pleasure to write the forward to this book I have also witnessed the impact Chris has made in the lives of others by providing them with validations from the other side. Don't take my word for it ... READ IT and GIVE IT to those who believe and the skeptic's too!

I hope this guide will help you get ready for the holidays!!

The real joy of this and ALL seasons comes from giving. Your time, love, service and of course a gift or two!

Immortality .... in Pencil

So you can print any photo with the touch of a button now, enlarge, crop, color and "edit" takes you seconds. CLICK, upload, CLICK order and pick up at your local Walmart store.

What about the dying art of portraiture? and the days of putting pencil to paper?

I was honored and surprised recently by being forever immortalized in pencil in all my Vintage splendor by artist and friend Marty Parker. His pin-up artwork was featured by EVOLUTION REVOLUTION recently. See his feature HERE

He chose this photo of me taken by photographer Heather Millenaar April 2011

VINTAGE GIRL (Lisa H) byMarty Parker
11"x14" Pencil on Bristol Board
July 2011

Purchase a Signed, High Quality Art Print of this piece for $150

Want to try something new and be forever immortalized in pencil? or get a unique and personal gift for family or friends?

Commission Marty:

Commissions start at $300, but can be more if the image includes multiple
people. High Quality art prints are available for $150

He requires a good quality (hopefully hi-rez) photo either emailed or an actual copy of a photo mailed if that's available.

Contact Marty:
WEB
FACEBOOK
E-mail: martyparker@earthlink.net

PAYMENT: check or money order

*Want a print of any of Marty's work??? ~ $150 and can be printed and shipped with a one day turnaround*

Think outside the big box store this coming holiday season, your next birthday or anniversary celebration.

Immortalize someone in pencil!

A Look at the "Pin Up"

Artist: Marty Parker, Pencil on Bristol Board. "Ziegfeld Girl"

Depictions of women in various forms of undress date back to almost the beginning of recorded history with Greek Mythology and Roman influence. Although forced underground by the catholic church (surprise) what has evolved into the "pin up" still emerged to be some of the most powerful imagery of the 20th/21st century. Such images have been celebrated on walls, lockers, cells and even in war zones in both photographic and artistic forms.


"A pin-up girl is a woman whose physical attractiveness would entice one to place a picture of her on a wall. The term was first attested to in English in 1941; however the practice is documented back at least to the 1890s. The “pin up” images could be cut out of magazines or newspapers, or be from postcard or chromo-lithographs, and so on. Such photos often appear on calendars, which are meant to be pinned up anyway. Later, posters of “pin-up girls” were mass-produced." (Source: http://www.arthistoryarchive.com/arthistory/pinupart/)


The iconic "pin up" photograph of Betty Grable, 1943 (during WWII) was one of the most popular and mass produced.


Rita Hayworth

By the 1920's pin-up became popular in magazines and calendars. The screen sirens of the time have forever been immortalized in poster and calendar form.

In 1953 a then unknown publisher Hugh Hefner brought the calendar pin up photograph of Marilyn Monroe to the forefront for his first issue of Playboy.

This photo shoot took place in 1949 in Chicago. This was not the photo run in Playboy's first issue but it was from the same shoot.



Some pin up art has been present in the form of the photograph, some by an artist hands and contemporary pinup art is a mesh between photography, hand drawing/painting and airbrushing techniques to create photo realistic fantasy.

One of the most famous contemporary pin up artist is Oliva De Beardinis (who deserves a blog feature all of her own).







http://www.eolivia.com/


ARTIST PROFILE: MARTY PARKER

Artist Marty Parker has made pinup art part of his artistic repertoire and puts pencil to paper in a retro celebration of the female form with his signature "Circle Series". What I personally love about his pin up art is the juxtaposition between the colored circles and the black and white image. It is very striking and unique perspective.
Marty grew up in Northern California and said he has been doing art for as long as he can remember. I had a chance to ask Marty a few questions about his artwork and inspirations.

LISA: What/Who have influenced you?

MARTY: I was heavily influenced by Norman Rockwell, The Beatles, a couple of fantastic and innovative high school art teachers, one great college one, and my folks.




I found a quote that best sums up my philosophy as an artist and a person. This says it perfectly, in my humble opinion:

"Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said. A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made. Or a garden planted. Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, and when people look at that tree or that flower planted, you're there. It doesn't matter what you do, he said, so long as you change something from the way it was before you touched it into something that's like you after you take your hands away. The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said. The lawn cutter might just as well not have been there at all; the gardener will be there a lifetime."
From "Fahrenheit 451"
by Ray Bradbury

Marty Parker

LISA: Why the "Pin Up"?

MARTY: I love the variety - Pin Up can be Campy, Sexy, Playful, Erotic - so many choices and I always seem to find something different I want to do. And I love women!



LISA: What inspires you?

MARTY: Fellow artists, writers, musicians...but really, anybody with passion and vision. And beautiful women.



LISA: How do you select the images you create and/or re-create?

MARTY: Often I’m trying to find a very specific image, especially for my Circle Series. If I want to do a Farrah, for example, I’m looking for a “definitive” image. But half the time when I’m searching for that “definitive” image I come across one I’ve never seen or considered before and grab that one. I also like to stay open to ANY image that catches my eye. Often the random ones you stumble upon (like the Cocktail Lounge Girl) are the most fun!




LISA: Where do you see your art evolving? Any special projects on the horizon?

MARTY: Right now all I know is I want to keep evolving as an artist, and that the art will take ME to wherever it wants to go. No special projects on the horizon but like all my work, that could change at any minute.





LISA: Where can my readers buy your art work? or contact you?

MARTY: Still working on a website but for now folks can contact me on my facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/martyparkerart). And if anyone is interested in buying original or prints of my drawings we can always arrange something. some of my art is available on T-shirt as posters Via: http://www.rule-32.com/




PRICE: Giclee Prints are $100. Originals vary depending on the drawing,but usually from $200 - $400




SIZE & MEDIUM: All of Martys originals and prints come in size: 11" x 14", Originals are Pencil on Birstol Board.


My FAV's are his John Lennon portraits!!

The Beatles, Music and Sports icons are also part of Marty's portfolio.